9 Lesser-Known Common Core Resources For Teachers

Now that the Common Core State Standards established their rule over the future of education, any company capable of producing an educational product wants to link it with the Standards. Sifting through the resources becomes more important than ever; simply claiming to align materials with standards doesn’t make the material valuable or worthwhile.

Some resources, however, give educators an edge by consolidating the main points of the standards and at least offering students a chance to experience them in a condensed form.

Free digital resources pummel the Internet so teachers need not look too far for ways to build upon and alter their lessons. Challenging students simply means taking some time to click through some really great websites that come equipped with detailed aids to teaching to the more rigorous Common Core standards.

9 Lesser-Known Common Core Resources For Teachers

1. Core Knowledge

E.D. Hirsch writes a blog giving teachers important insight into the value of the Common Core State Standards. Understanding the philosophy behind the Standards makes it easier to implement them in the classroom. It also helps clarify why they were created in the first place. There’s also a link on Creative Commons to essential publications available for free.

2. The Hunt Institute

With a meaningful website for any educator, The Hunt Institute catalogues video clips with lessons that not only show the standards in action but also help spark ideas for future lessons.

3. Math Problem of the Month

An easily accessible tool for math teachers, Problems of the Month available at Inside Mathematics allows teachers and administrators to give students levels of problem solving that require them to be active and apply their knowledge to the world around them.

Find basic arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, biology, or even U.S. History in clips or interactive lessons in www.hippocampus.org. Build upon basic lessons or delve deeper into a problem confronting an entire classroom. These can be played as introductions, clarifications, or homework assignments.

5. iCPalms

In each state, educators can usually access state resources with specific lessons and materials. For example, in Florida, teachers can access iCPalms that guides them through lessons one strand at a time with helpful links to digital resources. However, all teachers can access it for free and benefit from the well-organized format.

6. Non-Fiction Snippets

According to the CCSS, an even amount of time should be spent reading non-fiction texts because these are the type of texts adults mostly read. They’re also difficult to read for many students. This website offers small chunks of text with some really great multiple-choice questions and other very helpful tools to keep students informed and on task.

7. Classical Literature

Because the CCSS require teachers to introduce students to more complex text, using sites that host classical literature makes it easier to find suitable works, or work through specific chapters as a class.

8. Glencoe Guides

Glencoe Literature Library alphabetically lists award-winning books complete with detailed study guides available to download for free. The guides help students better understand the author and the book as well as ask a series of higher-order questions that prompt the student to think differently about the literature.

9. The Library of Congress

Catering to teachers, the Library of Congress offers gallons of informational resources readily available to anyone willing to visit the website. From speeches, maps, letters, and campaign materials to photographs, film footage, and government documents, teachers can effortlessly teach students about primary and secondary resources and expose them to authentic documentation of events and people.

This post is based on an entry first published on opencolleges.edu.au; image attribution flickr user shinalight